This book gives an in-depth analysis of the physical phenomena of thrust production by laser radiation, as well as laser propulsion engines, and laser-propelled vehicles. It brings together into a unified context accumulated up-to-date information on laser propulsion research, considering propulsion phenomena, laser propulsion techniques, design of vehicles with laser propulsion engines, and high-power laser systems to provide movement for space vehicles. In particular, the reader will find detailed coverage of: designs of laser propulsion engines, operating as both air-breathing and ramjet engines to launch vehicles into LEOs; Assembly of vehicles whereby laser power from a remote laser is collected and directed into a propulsion engine; and, the laser-adaptive systems that control a laser beam to propel vehicles into orbits by delivering laser power through the Earth's atmosphere. This book is essential reading for researchers and professionals involved in laser propulsion.

Dusty or complex plasmas are plasmas containing solid or liquid charged particles referred to as dust. Naturally occurring in space, they are present in planetary rings and comet tails, as well as clouds found in the vicinity of artificial satellites and space stations. On a more earthly level, dusty plasmas are now being actively researched as dust plays a key role in technological plasma applications associated with etching technologies in microelectronics, as well as with production of thin films and nanoparticles.

Complex and Dusty Plasmas: From Laboratory to Space provides a balanced and consistent picture of the current status of the field by covering new developments in experimental and theoretical research. Drawing from research performed across the earth and even beyond by an internationally diverse group of pioneering researchers, this book covers a wealth of topics. It delves into

• Major types of complex plasmas in ground-based and microgravity experiments
• Properties of the magnetized, thermal, cryogenic, ultraviolet, nuclear-induced complex plasmas and plasmas with nonspherical particles
• Major forces acting on the particles and features of the particle dynamics in complex plasmas, as well as basic plasma-particle interactions,
• Recent research results on phase transitions between crystalline and liquid complex plasma states
• Astrophysical aspects of dusty plasmas and numerical simulation of their properties
• Dust as a source of contamination in many applications including reactors

An important feature of this work is the detailed discussion of unique experimental and theoretical aspects of complex plasmas related to the investigations under microgravity conditions performed onboard Mir and ISS space stations. Much of what we know today would not be possible without cooperation between researchers of various nations, many of whom serve as key contributors to this book. Whether deepening their knowledge of things interstellar or developing new applications and products for use in manufacturing, energy, and communication or even fields yet dreamt of, these pages provide the knowledge, approaches, and insight that all researchers of complex plasmas need.

The PUILS series delivers up-to-date reviews of progress in Ultrafast Intense Laser Science, a newly emerging interdisciplinary research field spanning atomic and molecular physics, molecular science and optical science, which has been stimulated by the recent developments in ultrafast laser technologies. Each volume compiles peer-reviewed articles authored by researchers at the forefront of each their own subfields of UILS. Every chapter opens with an overview of the topics to be discussed, so that researchers unfamiliar to the subfield, as well as graduate students, can grasp the importance and attractions of the research topic at hand; these are followed by reports of cutting-edge discoveries. This eleventh volume covers a broad range of topics from this interdisciplinary research field, focusing on ultrafast dynamics of molecules in intense laser fields, pulse shaping techniques for controlling molecular processes, high-order harmonics generation and attosecond Photoionization, femtosecond laser induced filamentation and laser particle acceleration.

A Solid Compendium of Advanced Diagnostic and Simulation Tools Exploring the most exciting and topical areas in this field, Laser-Plasma Interactions focuses on the interaction of intense laser radiation with plasma. After discussing the basic theory of the interaction of intense electromagnetic radiation fields with matter, the book covers three applications of intense fields in plasma: inertial fusion, wakefield accelerators, and advanced radiation sources. Collecting contributions from a host of international experts, the book provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental concepts of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, before moving on to selected advanced topics from the field. It describes state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and experimental techniques used to study laser-plasma interactions as well as simulation tools for modeling these interactions. With a focus on current research trends, this book guides readers to the brink of the most stimulating challenges in the field. It also gives readers an appreciation of the underlying phenomena linking several applications.

This book builds on the fluid and kinetic theory of equilibria and waves presented in a companion textbook, Basic Space Plasma Physics (by the same authors), but can also serve as a stand-alone text. It extends the field covered there into the domain of plasma instability and nonlinear theory.

The book provides a representative selection of the many possible macro- and microinstabilities in a space plasma, from the Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz to electrostatic and electromagnetic kinetic instabilities. Their quasilinear stabilization and nonlinear evolution and their application to space physics problems are treated. The chapters on nonlinear theory include nonlinear waves, weak turbulence and strong turbulence, all presented from the viewpoint of their relevance to space plasma physics. Special topics include auroral particle acceleration, soliton formation and caviton collapse, anomalous transport, and the theory of collisionless shocks.

This book focuses on the non-traditional branches of physics and mechanics of shock waves that have arisen recently in connection with the intensive study of these waves in a wide variety of phenomena - from nuclear matter to clusters of galaxies. The book is devoted to the various physical phenomena and properties of intense shock waves. The author addresses methods of generation, diagnostics, as well as theoretical methods for describing shock waves at extremely high pressures and temperatures in laboratory and quasi-laboratory conditions. The state of materials with high energy density generated by shock wave compression is discussed. In addition, the book aims to systematize, generalize, and describe from a universal viewpoint the extensive theoretical and experimental material on the physics of high energy densities - the physics and mechanics of intense shock waves. The book is based on lectures delivered by the author at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Higher School of Physics of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, as well as overviews presented at many scientific conferences and symposia. It is useful to a wide range of researchers in natural sciences, giving them access to original works and allowing them to navigate the fascinating problems of the modern science of intense shock waves.

This thesis presents several important aspects of the plasma dynamics in extremely high intensity electromagnetic fields when quantum electrodynamics effects have to be taken into account. This work is of utmost importance for the forthcoming generation of multipetawatt laser facilities where this physics will be tested. The first part consists of an introduction that extends from classical and quantum electrodynamics in strong fields to the kinetic description of plasmas in the interaction with such fields. This can be considered as an advanced tutorial which would be extremely useful to researchers and students new to the field. The second part describes original contributions on the analysis of the signatures of classical and quantum radiation reaction on the distribution function of the charged particles and of the photon spectrum, and leads to significant advances on this topic. These results are then extended to the analysis of the so-called QED cascades which are of central importance for a better understanding of some astrophysical phenomena and basic physics problems. Finally, the book discusses future directions for the high intensity laser-plasma interaction community. The results presented in this thesis are expected to become more and more relevant as the new multipetawatt facilities become operative.

This book presents the basics of superconductivity and applications of superconducting magnets. It explains the phenomenon of superconductivity, describes theories of superconductivity, and discusses type II and high-temperature cuprate superconductors. The main focus of the book is the application of superconducting magnets in accelerators, fusion reactors and other advanced applications such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS), and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES). This new and significantly extended second edition covers the state of the art in the development of novel superconductors for advanced magnet applications, as well as the production of practical superconducting wires, tapes, and ultra high current cables used for high-field magnets. It includes two new chapters each devoted to MgB2 and Fe-based superconductors, and discusses the recently developed and world record-setting 45.5-Tesla magnetic field generated by a combination of conventional and high-temperature cuprate superconducting magnets. In addition, it discusses the status and outlook of all current and future nuclear fusion reactors worldwide. The chapter on accelerators includes the ongoing efforts to build high luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), the high-energy 28 TeV LHC (HE-LHC), the future circular collider (FCC) at CERN, and the just launched electro-ion collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The book is based on the long-standing experience of the author in studying superconducting materials, building magnets and delivering numerous lectures to research scholars and students. The book provides comprehensive and fundamental knowledge in the field of applied superconductivity, greatly benefiting researchers and graduate students wishing to learn more about the various aspects of superconductivity and advanced magnet applications.

Key features: Organizes a difficult subject into short and clearly written sections. Can be used alongside any introductory physics textbook. Presents clear examples for every problem type discussed in the textbook.

This book introduces the concepts of more electric aircraft and aviation electrical appliances, as well as the aviation experimental platform of vacuum switches, the interruption characteristics, frequency characteristics and post-arc breakdown characteristics of intermediate frequency vacuum switches, etc. It is the first monograph on protection electrical appliances, vacuum interrupter in aviation variable frequency power system. This book includes a lot of experimental process and chart analysis for readers to understand and provides references for practical engineering problems. This book could be used as references for engineers and technicians working on electric power systems in aircrafts.

Extended and revised, Plasma Waves, 2nd Edition provides essential information on basic formulas and categorizes the various Apossible types of waves and their interactions. The book includes modern and complete treatments of electron cyclotron emission, collisions, relativistic effects, Landau damping, quasilinear and nonlinear wave theory, and tunneling equations. The broad scope encompasses waves in cold, warm, and hot plasmas and relativistic plasma waves. Special chapters deal with the effects of boundaries, inhomogeneities, and nonlinear effects. The author derives all formulae and describes several fundamental wave experiments, allowing for a greater appreciation of the subject.

This textbook describes Earth's plasma environment from single particle motion in electromagnetic fields, with applications to Earth's magnetosphere, up to plasma wave generation and wave-particle interaction. The origin and effects of collisions and conductivities are discussed in detail, as is the formation of the ionosphere, the origin of magnetospheric convection and magnetospheric dynamics in solar wind-magnetosphere coupling, the evolution of magnetospheric storms, auroral substorms, and auroral phenomena of various kinds.The second half of the book presents the theoretical foundation of space plasma physics, from kinetic theory of plasma through the formation of moment equations and derivation of magnetohydrodynamic theory of plasmas. The validity of this theory is elucidated, and two-fluid theory is presented in more detail. This is followed by a brief analysis of fluid boundaries, with Earth's magnetopause and bow shock as examples. The main emphasis is on the presentation of fluid and kinetic wave theory, deriving the relevant wave modes in a high temperature space plasma. Plasma instability is the most important topic in all applications and is discussed separately, including a section on thermal fluctuations. These theories are applied to the most interesting problems in space plasma physics, collisionless reconnection and collisionless shock waves with references provided. The Appendix includes the most recent developments in the theory of statistical particle distributions in space plasma, the Kappa distribution, etc, also including a section on space plasma turbulence and emphasizing on new observational developments with a dimensional derivation of the Kolmogorov spectrum, which might be instructive for the student who may worry about its origin.The book ends with a section on space climatology, space meteorology and space weather, a new application field in space plasma physics that is of vital interest when considering the possible hazards to civilization from space.

This volume is devoted to the dynamics and diagnostics of solar magnetic fields and plasmas in the Sun's atmosphere. Five broad areas of current research in Solar Physics are presented: (1) New techniques for incorporating radiation transfer effects into three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic models of the solar interior and atmosphere, (2) The connection between observed radiation processes occurring during flares and the underlying flare energy release and transport mechanisms, (3) The global balance of forces and momenta that occur during flares, (4) The data-analysis and theoretical tools needed to understand and assimilate vector magnetogram observations and (5) Connecting flare and CME phenomena to the topological properties of the magnetic field in the Solar Atmosphere. The role of the Sun's magnetic field is a major emphasis of this book, which was inspired by a workshop honoring Richard C. (Dick) Canfield. Dick has been making profound contributions to these areas of research over a long and productive scientific career. Many of the articles in this topical issue were first presented as talks during this workshop and represent substantial original work. The workshop was held 9 - 11 August 2010, at the Center Green campus of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. This volume is aimed at researchers and graduate students active in solar physics, solar-terrestrial physics and magneto-hydrodynamics. Previously published in Solar Physics journal, Vol. 277/1, 2012.

The first volume of Industrial Plasma Engineering is a major work of reference containing the theoretical background and a description of a wide range of plasma related devices and processes used in industry. It is intended as a textbook for students of physics and all engineering disciplines, and as a working reference for practicing engineers, particularly those working in materials processing and device fabrication.
The second volume is intended to provide a background in the principles and applications of low temperature, partially ionized Lorentzian plasmas that are used industrially, and also to provide a description of plasma-related processes and devices that are of commercial interest.

This book covers the role of water in global atmospheric phenomena, focussing on the physical processes involving water molecules and water microparticles. It presents the reader with a detailed look at some of the most important types of global atmospheric phenomena involving water, such as water circulation, atmospheric electricity and the greenhouse effect. Beginning with the cycle of water evaporation and condensation, and the important roles played by the nucleation and growth processes of water microdroplets, the book discusses atmospheric electricity as a secondary phenomenon of water circulation in the atmosphere, comprising a chain of processes involving water molecules and water microdroplets. Finally, the book discusses aspects of the molecular spectroscopy of greenhouse atmospheric components, showing how water molecules and water microdroplets give the main contribution to atmospheric emission in the infrared spectrum range. Featuring numerous didactic schematics and appendices detailing all necessary unit conversion factors, this book is useful to both active researchers and doctoral students working in the fields of atmospheric physics, climate science and molecular spectroscopy.

This book provides a systematic introduction to the observation and application of kinetic Alfven waves (KAWs) in various plasma environments, with a special focus on the solar-terrestrial coupling system. Alfven waves are low-frequency and long-wavelength fluctuations that pervade laboratory, space and cosmic plasmas. KAWs are dispersive Alfven waves with a short wavelength comparable to particle kinematic scales and hence can play important roles in the energization and transport of plasma particles, the formation of fine magneto-plasma structures, and the dissipation of turbulent Alfven waves. Since the 1990s, experimental studies on KAWs in laboratory and space plasmas have significantly advanced our understanding of KAWs, making them an increasingly interesting subject. Without a doubt, the solar-terrestrial coupling system provides us with a unique natural laboratory for the comprehensive study of KAWs. This book presents extensive observations of KAWs in solar and heliospheric plasmas, as well as numerous applications of KAWs in the solar-terrestrial coupling system, including solar atmosphere heating, solarwind turbulence, solar wind-magnetosphere interactions, and magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. In addition, for the sake of consistency, the book includes the basic theories and physical properties of KAWs, as well as their experimental demonstrations in laboratory plasmas. In closing, it discusses possible applications of KAWs to other astrophysical plasmas. Accordingly, the book covers all the major aspects of KAWs in a coherent manner that will appeal to advanced graduate students and researchers whose work involves laboratory, space and astrophysical plasmas.

This carefully researched book presents facts and arguments showing, beyond a doubt, that nuclear fusion power will not be technically feasible in time to satisfy the world's urgent need for climate-neutral energy. The author describes the 70-year history of nuclear fusion; the vain attempts to construct an energy-generating nuclear fusion power reactor, and shows that even in the most optimistic scenario nuclear fusion, in spite of the claims of its proponents, will not be able to make a sizable contribution to the energy mix in this century, whatever the outcome of ITER. This implies that fusion power will not be a factor in combating climate change, and that the race to save the climate with carbon-free energy will have been won or lost long before the first nuclear fusion power station comes on line. Aimed at the general public as well as those whose decisions directly affect energy policy, this book will be a valuable resource for informing future debates.

How did electrons in the high atmosphere and space around the Earth come to acquire their speeds and energies?
This intriguing question lies at the heart of understanding how high-energy electrons create the spectacular displays of the DEGREESIAurora Borealis and DEGREESIAurora Australis. Electron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond explores the mysteries of these phenomena and others involving the acceleration of electrons in the magnetosphere, in the solar wind, at the Sun and in the Cosmos.
This book presents a new approach to understanding this fascinating subject by treating the acceleration medium as a plasma. Using this new insight we can see that electron acceleration may well be caused by waves rather than steady potential differences. This unique approach is clearly explained in a lively and engaging style.
Quantitative formulae, experiments, practical demonstrations and computer programs enable us to investigate for ourselves how the model works. The theory is further illustrated by comparing acceleration in space with particle accelerators in the nuclear physics laboratory (and even on the sports field )
Questions and exercises with answers are supplied to stimulate further thinking.
DEGREESIElectron Acceleration in the Aurora and Beyond is a thought-provoking book for graduate and post-doctoral space scientists.

The contents of this book are the result of work performed in the past three years to provide some answers to questions raised by several colleagues wo- inginastrophysics. Examiningseveraltransportprocessesinplasmasrelated to dissipative e?ects in phenomena such as cooling ?ows, propagation of sound waves, thermal conduction in the presence of magnetic ?elds, an- lar momentum transfer in accretion disks, among many, one ?nds a rather common pattern. Indeed when values for transport coe?cients are required the overwhelming majority of authors refer to the classical results obtained by L. Spitzer and S. Braginski over forty years ago. Further, it is also often mentioned that under the prescribed working conditions the values of such coe?cients are usually insu?cient to provide agreement with observations. The methodology followed by these authors is based upon Landau's - oneering idea that collisions in plasmas may be substantially accounted for when viewed as a di?usive process. Consequently the ensuing basic kinetic equation is the Fokker-Planck version of Boltzmann's equation as essentially proposed by Landau himself nearly 70 years ago. Curiously enough the magni?cent work of the late R. Balescu in both Classical and Non-Classical transport in plasmas published in 1988 and also based on the Fokker-Planck equation is hardly known in the astrophysical audience. The previous work of Spitzer and Braginski is analyzed with much more rigorous vision in his two books on the subject.

This thesis focuses on a cutting-edge area of research, which is aligned with CERN's mainstream research, the "AWAKE" project, dedicated to proving the capability of accelerating particles to the energy frontier by the high energy proton beam. The author participated in this project and has advanced the plasma wakefield theory and modelling significantly, especially concerning future plasma acceleration based collider design. The thesis addresses electron beam acceleration to high energy whilst preserving its high quality driven by a single short proton bunch in hollow plasma. It also demonstrates stable deceleration of multiple proton bunches in a nonlinear regime with strong resonant wakefield excitation in hollow plasma, and generation of high energy and high quality electron or positron bunches. Further work includes the assessment of transverse instabilities induced by misaligned beams in hollow plasma and enhancement of the wakefield amplitude driven by a self-modulated long proton bunch with a tapered plasma. This work has major potential to impact the next generation of linear colliders and also in the long-term may help develop compact accelerators for use in industrial and medical facilities.

This book presents recent advances in the physics of magnetic reconnection, investigated via both in situ spacecraft observations and fully kinetic numerical simulations. Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in plasma physics during which the topological reconfiguration of the magnetic field leads to energy conversion and particle energization. The book focuses on the physics of the electron diffusion region (EDR), a crucial region where the electrons are decoupled from the magnetic field and efficiently accelerated by the electric field. By using recent, high-resolution measurements provided by NASA's Magnetospheric MultiScale Mission (MMS), the book investigates the structure of the EDR at the Earth's magnetopause. The presented analysis provides evidence for an inhomogeneous and patchy EDR structure. The structure of the EDR appears to be more complex than the in laminar picture suggested by previous observations and simulations. Then, electrons dynamics in the EDR is studied using a novel, fully kinetic Eulerian Vlasov-Darwin model that has been implemented in the Vlasov-DArwin numerical code (ViDA), explained in detail in the book. Lastly, the book covers the testing of this new code, and investigates the contributions of the different terms in the generalized Ohm's law within the EDR, highlighting the role of the electron inertia term.

Written at the graduate level, Generation and Application of High Power Microwaves discusses the basic physics of the generation of microwave and radiofrequency waves in the megawatt power range and the application of these ideas to a range of devices such as klystrons, gyrotrons, and free electron lasers. The book also contains chapters covering the transmission of the power through waveguides and the problems associated with mode conversion in transmission lines. The main application area covered is the heating and current drive in tokamaks and other devices for research into controlled nuclear fusion. Other applications of high power microwave technology are not neglected, and among those discussed are multiple charged ion and soft x-ray sources, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, advanced materials processing, millimeter wave radar, and supercolliders.

This book, written by key researchers in the field, provides a comprehensive analysis and overview of the state of the art of plasma-based cancer therapy. Recent progress in atmospheric plasmas has led to non-thermal or cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) devices with ion temperatures close to room temperature. In contrast to many existing anti-cancer approaches, CAP is a selective anti-cancer modality which has demonstrated significant potential in cancer therapy.Written by a global, cross-disciplinary group of leading researchers, this book covers basic theory, generation, diagnostics, and simulation of cold atmospheric plasma, as well as their clinical application in cancer therapy, immunotherapy, and future outlook, giving a complete picture of the field. It is meant for a broad audience, from students to engineers and scientists, who are interested in the emerging world of plasma medical applications. It presents recent advances, primary challenges, and future directions of this exciting, cutting-edge field.

This book covers a diverse cross section of this interdisciplinary research field, with contributions grouped into four categories: laser-induced filamentation; atoms and molecules in a laser field; interaction of solid materials with a coherent light field; and ion acceleration and ionization of atoms in super intense laser fields. This book series presents up-to-date reviews of advances in this interdisciplinary research field, spanning atomic and molecular physics, as well as molecular and optical science, which have been stimulated by the recent developments in ultrafast laser technologies. Each book compiles peer-reviewed articles by researchers at the forefront of their particular subfields. All the chapters include an overview to allow graduate students and researchers unfamiliar with the subfield to grasp the importance and attractions of the topic covered, followed by reports of cutting-edge discoveries.

This book provides a systemic and self-contained guide to the theoretical description of the fundamental properties of plasmonic waves. The field of plasmonics is built on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and conduction electrons at metallic interfaces or in metallic nanostructures, and so to describe basic plasmonic behavior, boundary-value problems may be formulated and solved using electromagnetic wave theory based on Maxwell's equations and the electrostatic approximation. In preparation, the book begins with the basics of electromagnetic and electrostatic theories, along with a review of the local and spatial nonlocal plasma model of an electron gas. This is followed by clear and detailed boundary value analysis of both classical three-dimensional and novel two-dimensional plasmonic systems in a range of different geometries. With only general electromagnetic theory as a prerequisite, this resulting volume will be a useful entry point to plasmonic theory for students, as well as a convenient reference work for researchers who want to see how the underlying models can be analysed rigorously.